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Best Campgrounds In The DC Area

May 19, 2012 6:00 AM

One of the best perks about living in the D.C. area is that you don’t necessarily have to head for the hills if you’re yearning for a little fresh air and unpopulated lands. Whether you are looking for complete seclusion or a cozy cabin in the woods, check out the best local campgrounds for the perfect weekend getaway right next door.

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Hours: check out – 10 a.m.; check in from 12 p.m. on
Group camping area G-1 open year-round (weather permitting); G-2 through G-8 March 1 to Nov. 15; G-9 March 1 to Oct. 31

With more than 130 camping sites to choose from, Lake Fairfax Park and Campgrounds has just about everything a camper could need. The campgrounds feature a bath house with potable water spigots, hot showers, flushable toilets and a dump station. Each camping site comes with a picnic table, a fire ring/grill combo and parking space for at least one car on-site or nearby. Other amenities located nearby include a marina and a water park. Tents and RVs are welcome, but reservations are required.

Recognized as the closest RV park and campground to the nation’s capital, Cherry Hill Park offers a wide variety of amenities, guest services and even an on-site cafe to help make your camping experience truly memorable and enjoyable. The campground provides 400 RV and tent campsites, which include water, sewer and electrical hookups. Other campground amenities include restrooms with hot showers, a laundry facility, playground, game room and free WiFi. Stock up on groceries at the camp store or grab a bite to eat at the Star Cafe. Cherry Hill Park also offers cabins, trailers and cottages for rent as well.

In addition to a 218-acre lake with fishing, boating and rowboat rental, Burke Lake Park also features a carousel, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits, a mini golf course, clubhouse and modern-day amenities. Burke Lake Park provides 100 wooded camping sites that feature a grill, picnic table and fire ring. The campgrounds also include a bath house with sinks and potable water, hot showers, flushable toilets, a dumping station and public phones. Electric and water hook-ups are not provided, and only RVs that measure up to 25 feet are permitted. Reservations are required.

Known as Maryland’s premier camping resort, Frontier Town features more than 500 campsites, a water park, mini-golf, two restaurants, a camp store and even a wild west theatrical show. The camp sites provide room for tents as well as RVs up to 45 feet long. Frontier Town also offers rental trailers and cabins. Campsite amenities include a bath house, water, electric and sewer hookups, boat slips, coffee shop, arcade and a deli. For a change of scenery, the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island National Seashore are both a short drive away. Advance reservations are recommended.

If camping out in a cozy cottage is more your style, then check out Algonkian Regional Park. Located off the banks of the Potomac River, the cottages are available with two to five bedrooms and feature many modern-day amenities including bed and bath linens, dishes, cooking and eating utensils, a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, gas fireplace or stove, TV, phone, central air and heat, high-speed internet and cable. Certain cottages even feature outdoor hot tubs. Nearby attractions include boating, fishing, golf and mini golf, boat and RV storage and a water park. Reservations are required.

Susan Diranian is a freelance writer living in Ashburn, VA. She is covering Travel & Outdoors. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.